Summary
A hand-operated aparatus used for stamping wax seals on letters at Ararat Lunatic Asylum, Victoria, Australia, circa 1867 - 1905
Physical Description
flat, heavy, oblong base out of which rises a thick, hollow shaft, curved in a quarter circle, flattened on sides and rounded at end. Has slit on top into which fits diagonal lever with slim, elegantly shaped wooden handle. When handle is pushed down the seal - short, metal cylinder engraved underneath with a crown and "Lunatic Asylum, Ararat" - is imprinted onto wax on the letter. A 3cm hole is directly under the seal. Painted black with plain gold and red border around base and with scrolled decoration in gold, red and turquoise on back and sides of main shaft. Letter (with wax) is placed on base under stamp.
Significance
Example of official stationary items used in Victorian mental health hospitals
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Aradale Mental Hospital (Ararat Asylum), Office of Psychiatric Services, May 1985
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Place & Date Used
Aradale Mental Hospital (Ararat Asylum), Ararat, Victoria, Australia, circa 1880
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Inscriptions
Engraved: LUNATIC ASYLUM/ARARAT.
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Classification
Medicine & health, Mental health - administration, Equipment
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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overall dimensions
26 cm (Length), 10.5 cm (Width), 26 cm (Height)
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Exhibition Collection Management
260 mm (Length), 105 mm (Width), 260 mm (Height)
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References
card with exhibit.
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Keywords
Making History - Psych Services, Mental Health, Mental Health Institutions, Psychiatric Hospitals, Stationery
